DOYEN Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

doyen

noun

ˈdȯi-ən

Definition of doyen

as in veteran

a person with long experience in a specified area considered the doyen of American art critics

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dean

the senior member of a group he's the doyen of American museum directors, and his opinion has considerable weight

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of doyen Murray’s focus on tax measures in his quote may dampen expectations that the Labour government is about to improve the high-end TV tax credit, which industry doyens have been calling for for some time now. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026 Sorkin, Kernen and Quick have been anchoring the show together for the last 14 years, with Kernen serving as the doyen of the group, going to back to its 1995 debut. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025 My first tax boss was Stephen Land, a doyen of the international tax bar in New York, now retired. — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025 These are simple places, sometimes shacks, but all lively and serving great food cooked by formidable doyens, grandmothers such as Lu. — Catherine Fairweather, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for doyen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for doyen

Noun

The 15-year veteran looked confident and capable against the Chiefs on Sunday, throwing for 365 yards and two touchdowns.

— Pete Sweeney October 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
And considering the dearth of new mainstream stars — outside of Doechii and Don Toliver, other emerging talents have yet to commercially break through — hip-hop veterans have more of an opening to notch genuine hits.

— Michael Saponara, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of veteran

Noun

He was nominated for the award by his supervisor at Moraine Valley, Terra Jacobson, dean of Learning Resources, who also teaches a graduate class at Dominican, along with colleagues Marie Martino and Jayne Killackey.

— Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
Guzman, a former law school dean who became provost in 2023, faced similar tests over protests and free speech.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of dean

Noun

And, a consistent thread over the years, many students were interested in learning from their elders – everything from family histories to intergenerational advice and tough conversations about grief.

— Janet W. Lee, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Often, the pincher is in the company of an elder who lectures to her.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of elder

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doxy

doyen

doyenne

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“Doyen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doyen. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of doyen

noun

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